reach out
To stretch your arm out, or to try to talk to someone and make a connection.
Meanings
To physically extend your arm or hand outward to touch or grasp something.
"She reached out and squeezed his hand to comfort him."
To contact or communicate with someone, especially to offer or ask for help or support.
"If you're struggling, please reach out to one of our counsellors — they're here to help."
"If you are struggling, please reach out. You are not alone."
— Common public health campaign phrasing, widely used by organisations such as the WHO and NHS
To extend influence, services, or communication to a wider group of people.
"The charity is trying to reach out to homeless people in rural areas who often go unnoticed."
The figurative sense ('reach out to someone') has become extremely common in professional and corporate English, sometimes criticized as jargon when overused. In emotional or social contexts it sounds warm and human. Very common in American English in professional emails ('Please reach out if you need anything').
Commonly used with
Forms
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Synonyms
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